Indianapolis Travel Information
Indianapolis, population 781,870, is Indiana’s largest city and the
state capital. The metropolitan area has a population of more than 1.6
million. The city offers a mix of fast-paced sports entertainment and
a thriving cultural and artistic scene. The city is best known
for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s signature event, the
Indianapolis 500. Each May the city fill with racing spectators and
racecar crews preparing for one of sport’s biggest events. On race day
at the end of May more than 400,000 fans will be in the stands. The
speedway also hosts Formula One Grand Prix racing in July and NASCAR
races in August. Tours of the racetrack are offered in the off-season.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum houses racing and
antique cars, including several Indy 500 winners. The city’s
urban park, White River State Park, encompasses 250 acres in the
middle of the town. Visitors can find cultural venues along the
Central Canal walkways. Highlights include the Eiteljorg Museum of
American Indians and Western Art, Indiana State Museum and the
Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens. For sports fans Victory
Field hosts Indianapolis’ Triple-A baseball team and the NCAA Hall of
Champions pays tribute to college athletes. Outdoor concerts and
performances are held at The Lawn and the park hosts festivals and
special events throughout the year. Indianapolis’ art scene is
anchored by the Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana
University-Purdue University and art programs at the University of
Indianapolis. There are three main art districts, Massachusetts
Avenue, Foundation Square and Broad Ripple. All feature a mix of art
galleries, studios, restaurants, entertainment venues and bars.
Additional attractions can be found downtown at Circle Centre where
shops, entertainment venues, nightclubs and restaurants mix. The city
is home to several performance art groups, dance, opera, symphony and
theater. Indianapolis is located 77 miles east of Terre Haute
and 125 miles southwest of Fort Wayne. It is accessible via Interstate
Highways 65, 69, 70, and 74. Lodging is varied and abundant in the
city and suburbs.
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